Walden gets funds for medical center

YVMC and Healthcare Foundation donate $20,000 for new health facility

Steamboat Springs  Funds from local health organizations will help build a new medical center in Walden.

The Yampa Valley Medical Center and the Healthcare Foundation for the Yampa Valley have each donated $10,000 for the construction of the future North Park Medical Center in an effort to improve health care services in Jackson County and strengthen partnerships between regional medical providers, officials said.

"Yampa Valley Medical Center has operated the North Park Physical Therapy clinic since 1997 and has had a longstanding relationship with North Park Medical Clinic," said Karl Gills, chief executive officer of Yampa Valley Medical Center and chairman of the Healthcare Foundation for the Yampa Valley.

The new North Park Medical Center will house all of Jackson County's primary health care providers, including physical and mental healthcare, social services and public health. The 7,500-square-foot, multipurpose center also will include a separate structure for emergency vehicles. The total cost of the initial project is $2.1 million.

So far, North Park Medical Center officials have secured more than $1.7 million in funding from the state, local governments, private foundations, individuals and corporations. Gifts include $500,000 from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, $150,000 from the Caring for Colorado Foundation, $150,000 from the Gates Family Foundation, $40,000 from the Boettcher Foundation and $25,000 from the El Pomar Foundation. Additional funding is being sought from area residents, businesses and private foundations. Construction is scheduled to begin later this month.

Jane McLeod, chairwoman of the Yampa Valley Medical Center Board of Trustees, said that because the Steamboat Springs facility is a regional medical center, collaboration is an important aspect of offering care for residents of all five counties in Northwest Colorado.

"As a regional center, we look for ways to participate with surrounding communities in providing health care services," McLeod said. "YVMC feels the new North Park clinic is a very important project that will enhance the care available in the Walden area."

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